Swimmable Mermaid Tails
One of the most frequent questions I get is “Can I be a mermaid, too??” And the answer is YES! And unlike when I started out, when every item had to be handmade yourself or purchased from an individual artist, there are now many companies that sell mermaid tails, tops, and accessories to the public.
If you’re interested in purchasing a mermaid tail of your own, there are several options to chose from. Below I’ll outline these options and other essential equipment for swimming as a mermaid!
Monofins
If you plan to swim in your mermaid tail, the most important element is actually what’s hidden inside it–the monofin. A monofin is a type of swim flipper that encompasses both feet, so that you must kick your legs at the same time to move forward in the water, also known as the butterfly or dolphin kick. Monofins come in the full range of child and adult sizes, and different brands offer different shapes and flexibility that can be more or less suited to putting inside a mermaid tail. Individual monofins are designed for both casual use such as backyard pool lounging, or intense use such as as open ocean freediving. In many kinds of tails, the monofin is completely removable and interchangeable, but in some it is permanently encased within the tail. Read the full post on monofins to find out which might suit your needs best and for a list of recommended retailers.
Fabric Tails
Tails made of spandex/lycra (swimsuit fabric) or scuba knits are now the most common mermaid tails on the market–and the most affordable. Fabric tails are easy to take on and off both in and out of the water, are flexible/stretchy, and are the most lightweight option available. These are great tails for beginners, but are also used by professionals in circumstances where heavier materials aren’t practical or safe. The price range for fabric tails starts around $50 (not including monofin), and can run as high as $1,000 or more for customized designs or extra fins. I always recommend starting with a fabric tail, both because they are the cheapest to try out but also because they are the safest point to start from. Read the full post on fabric tails for more examples, instructions on how to make your own, and a list of recommended fabric tail retailers.
Neoprene Tails
Neoprene is the material that diving wetsuits are made from, and is a specialized rubber. Neoprene comes in a variety of thicknesses, is usually fabric coated on both sides, and for many years was one of the preferred materials for handmaking or selling mermaid tails. It is less stretchy but warmer and more buoyant than spandex/lycra/scuba knit fabrics, and is also less form-fitting to the body, which gives a greater illusion of a “tail” shape to the legs while swimming. Neoprene requires a heavy-duty sewing machine to sew at home, as well as regular lubrication of the needle with vaseline to keep it from sticking in the rubber interior. While neoprene mermaid tails were formerly available for commercial purchase, no major retailers currently offer neoprene options, although they remain in the secondhand market and individually operated sellers may still make them on request.
“Sequin” Tails
Sequin tails are made of a fabric or neoprene base, with individual plastic or resin sequins sewn to cover the surface and give the impression of scales. Sequin tails can look very striking, but are also the most delicate option and require frequent and time-consuming upkeep. Sequins are expected to come loose regularly, so must be replaced on the tail body as well as collected when they break or fall away to avoid plastic pollution. For this reason, swimming with a sequin tail in natural environments such as lakes, rivers, or oceans is not recommended, nor is use in aquariums where they might be consumed by animal inhabitants.
Silicone Tails
Silicone tails are made using medical-grade silicone which is cast and molded into the shape of scales, fins, and the fluke. Because of their level of realism and detail, silicone tails are used by many professional mermaids, but the high degree of skill and technique that go into making silicone tails means most mermaids will commission custom designs from others rather than handmaking them. They are also the priciest option, both due to the cost of materials (it is usually $1,000+ in materials alone) and the intense level of effort they require to produce, with tails selling from $1500 to upwards of $8,000. There are several tailmakers who offer silicone tails commercially, but demand is typically higher than availability for their time, and many mermaids spend years on a waitlist to purchase a tail produced by their preferred tailmaker.
Latex, Alex Plus, and Neoprin Tails
There are several materials that were once commonly used for the produciton of mermaid tails, but are no longer used or reccomended. Latex is a popular material for costume prosthetics and for many years there were were mermaid tails produced with this material, but it degrades quickly over time in water and these tails did not last with long-term or repeated wear. Alex Plus is a type of Latex Caulk and Silicone mixture that was also briefly used but caused illness to the wearer with prolonged contact. Neoprin is a thinner version of neoprene, however unlike neoprene it does not retain its stretch over time, causing tails made from it to become misshapen and tear. The art of making mermaid tails has not been a smooth or straight–but it is always improving. You may see older photos of mermaids wearing equipment made from these materials, but that doesn’t mean they are recommended or the preferred choice now!
